Rockport City Council Workshop on Austin Street Redesign - September 22, 2026

A workshop meeting of the Rockport City Council was held on September 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers to discuss the proposed Austin Street Re-Design concept plan. City staff and consultants presented a 30% concept plan developed from public input, including design features, cost estimates, and phasing options. Council members provided feedback and directed staff to proceed with finalizing the design, with budget decisions deferred to the next fiscal year.

Discussion Items

• Presentation of 30% Concept Plan – Amanda Torres (Director of Building & Development) and Ryan Picarazzi (Director of Public Works) introduced the plan, which was developed by HAF consultants Thomas Everett (project manager) and David Beyer (landscape architect) following two public input meetings. Key design elements include:

  • Removal of the existing median and relocation of streetlights to the sides to reduce maintenance issues (lights frequently damaged by boat trailers).
  • Widened sidewalks for pedestrians.
  • Angled parking similar to current configuration, with an estimated gain of approximately 30 parking spaces (total parking not reduced, as strongly requested by the public).
  • Landscaping with native, salt-tolerant, low-water plants and site furnishings (benches, bike racks, bollards) chosen for durability and modular repairability.
  • Intersection accents celebrating Rockport’s identity (e.g., redfish, waves, oak trees), potentially using stamped concrete or colored asphalt.
  • Asphalt roadway with concrete intersections.

• Cost Estimates and Phasing Options – The consultant presented three options:

  • Option 1: Full construction all at once (no phasing). Cost shown in handout but not explicitly stated in transcript.
  • Option 2: Major phasing – Phase 1: roadway and lighting improvements; Phase 2: streetscape, pedestrian, water quality, and drainage adjustments; Phase 3: side streets full improvements.
  • Option 3: Finer phasing – Phase 1: lighting and median removal (immediate fix); Phase 2: roadway; Phase 3: streetscape with temporary landscaping; Phase 4: permanent landscaping and water quality; Phase 5: side streets. Each phase assumed at 5-year intervals with 3% annual inflation, making the total project span up to 25 years (e.g., phase 5 completed 20 years after phase 1). The consultant noted that phasing is more expensive overall due to inflation but provides a more feasible start.
  • A 30% contingency was included in all estimates.

• Council Comments and Questions –

  • Councilmember Brad Brundrett questioned the 20–25 year timeline if using 5-year phasing, suggesting a shorter interval (e.g., 3 years) to make the project more realistic.
  • Councilmember Matt Anderson asked about modularity of site furnishings to allow for easier replacement of parts; the consultant confirmed they would specify products with long-term availability.
  • Brundrett also raised concern for the businesses along Austin Street during construction and inquired about plans to minimize disruption. The consultant noted a line item in the cost breakdown for nighttime sidewalk work adjacent to businesses to avoid daytime closures.
  • A councilmember (likely Mayor Jayroe) expressed appreciation that the plan incorporates public input and maintains the “Rockport feel.”

Key Outcomes

• Council reached consensus (no formal vote recorded) to direct the consultants and staff to proceed with final design, with the understanding that a decision on phasing would be made during the next budget cycle (starting February 2027).
• The consultants will deliver a final design (potentially up to 60% drawings) for future council consideration.
• The workshop adjourned at approximately 5:00 PM to be followed by a regular council meeting.